Aeroplane



M LOWMAN AEROPLANE Dec. 1, 1931.

Filed Dec. 19, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet l V INVENTOR. Marzeel oWmam.

562d W A TTORNEYS.

A P-h HLHUNHU l Hub Dec. 1, 1931.

M. LOWMAN AEROPLANE Filed Dec. 19, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. Ian mam ice 542 1 TTORNEYS.

24 AERONAUTICS Dec. 1, 1931.

M. LOWMAN AER OPLANE Filed Dec. 19, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. .JWU/Zfli'lownzan.

BY kav I 1542/ A TTORNEYS.

244. AtHUNAUTIGS M. LOWMAN Dec. 1, 1931.

AEROPLANE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec.

24 ERONAUTICS Dec. 1, 1931. M, LOWMAN 1,834,465

AEROPLANE Filed Dec. 19, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 m INVENTOR. Z5 flazzrzcelowmalz I ATTORNEYS.

244. AERONAUTICS Patented Dec. 1, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE MAURICE LOWMAN, OF BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO DELOS A. DAVIS, OF BIRMINGHAM, MICHIGAN AEROZPLANE Application filed December 19, 1930. Serial No. 503,563.

This invention relates to improvements in aeroplanes.

An object of the invention is the construction of an aeroplane in which eflicient means is provided for allowing the wings to be placed in any position, either for cruising, high speed, descending, ascending, or stuntmg.

Another object of the invention is the construction of an aeroplane, which is provided with bodily movable or adjustable wings, each wing having attached thereto a propeller and a motor.

A further object of the invention is the construction of an aeroplane that is furnished with shafts universally mounted and each shaft entirely supporting a wing-structure, which wing-structure comprises a unit including a wing, motor and a screw or spiral propeller.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention comprises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of an aeroplane constructed in accordance with the present invention, while Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a side View.

Figure 4 is a top plan View.

Figure 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the fuselage showing a general diagram of any suitable means for operating the shafts which are universally mounted.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66, Figure 8, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77, Figure 5.

Figure 8 is an enlarged side view of the primary bracket which is attached to each wing, while Figure 9 is a bottom View of the same.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on line 1010, Figure 8, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of one of the two shafts which are universally mounted.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates the body or fuselage of the aeroplane, to which is suitably attached a rudder 2 and horizontal fin or stabilizer 3.

A pair of shafts 4 extend preferably through the sides of the fuselage 1 and in the present instance, a ball 5 is provided near the middle of each shaft and is mounted in a suitable bearing 6 carried by the side of the fuselage (Fig. 5). In the fuselage (Fig. 5), I have shown a general diagram at 7 of any common or suitable means for operating the shafts 4 for the purpose hereinafter described.

Each of the two wing-structures of my invention comprises the wing 8 to the inner face of which is attached a primary bracket 9 and an auxiliary bracket 10. The primary bracket 9 is fastened near the inner end of the wing whereas the auxiliary bracket is attached near the outer end of the wing. Each primary bracket comprises a transverse rib 11 that reinforces or strengthens the wing 8. Depending from rib 11 are two arms 12 and fastened to the lower ends of these arms is a bearing plate 13 (Fig. 8). This bearing plate is provided preferably with a square aperture 14. On the outer end of each shaft 4 (Figs. 10 and 11) is a square portion 15 that fits in the square aperture or bearing plate 13. A washer 16 is placed against the outer end of shaft 4 and a screw 17 extends through washer 16 and into shaft 4 for fixedly securing the shaft and primary bracket 9 together. It will, therefore, be seen that when the shaft 4 is moved, the wing will be moved synchronously. A depending post 18 is bifurcated on its inner end (Fig. 6) and this bifurcated portion straddles the rib 11. Post 8 has a flat portion 19 against which fits motor 20. Motor 20 is fixedly secured to post 18, preferably by any suitable means such as screw 21.

The propeller 22 of each wing comprises a propeller shaft 23 around which is coiled a spiral blade 24. The outer end of shaft 23 is journalled in the auxiliary bracket 10, whereas the inner end is j ournalled upon the post 18 and extends into the motor 20 in any suitable manner to engage the mechanism of the motor so that when the motor is operated, said shaft will be rotated. The motors, movable with the wings, are operated from the fuselage in any suitable manner, so that they can be started or stopped at the will of the aviator, during the operation of the aeroplane. The mechanism at 7 for swinging the shafts 4 is also Controllable by the aviator.

Each wing 8 is concavo--convexed at its inner end and is substantially fiat at its outer end to increase the buoyancy of the areoplane.

In Figure 4 is shown the position of the wings set for full speed ahead. In this position, the propellers are almost parallel with the body or fuselage.

In Figure 1 is shown the position of the wings when it is desired to ascend; the more the wings are turned downwardly, the more radical the ascending will occur.

By using the screw type of a propeller and mounting the same in a rigid position on the under side of each wing, I obtain a maximum power and speed without interference of wing buoyancy.

It is to beunderstood that the wings can be individually or. collectively operated, more particularly in stunt flying. The funnel or' cup shape of spiral blades of the propellers gives greater. driving power and keeps the ship on an even and steady keel.

By swinging the shafts f so that'their outer ends will be close to the outer end ofthe fuselage .or what might be termed in their most forward position, then the wing-struc-' The two motors 20 are what might be called right and left motors, attached to the respective wing-structures.

The aeroplane may be provided with any suitable under-carriage 24 mounted on, 'below and intermediatethe ends of the fuselage, as shown.- I

In the sides of the fuselage may be provided windows and doors 25- (Fig. 4) for the convenience of the operator and passengers.

While I have described the preferred ema fuselage, of wings contiguous to the sides bodiment of my invention and illustrated the same in the accompanyingdrawings, certain minor changes or alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates during the extensive manufacture of thesame, and I, therefore, reserve the right to make such changes or alterations as shall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In an aeroplane, the combination with a fuselage, of propeller and motor carrying wings at opposite sides of said fuselage,

means extending from the sides of said fuselage and entirely supporting said wings and being capable of movement in various directions, and means for operating said means extending from the sides of said fuselage.

In an aeroplane, the combination with a fuselage, of wings contiguous to said fuselage, each wing provided with a depending bracket having a square aperture, a shaft universally mounted and extending from said fuselage and having a square outer end, said square outer end fitted in said square aperture, means fastening said bracket and square end together, and means carried by the fuselage for operating said shafts.

In an aeroplane, the combination with a fuselage, of wings contiguous to said fuselage, each Wing provided'with a depending primary bracket, said-primary bracket comprising a transverse reinforcing rib fastened to the wing, depending arms extending from said rib, a bearing plate fastened to the lower ends of said arms, shafts universally mounted and extending through the sides of said fuselage and fastened at their outer ends securely to said bearing plates of the primary brackets, and means in said fuselage for mov- 1ng or swinging said shafts, substantially as shown and described.

4. -In an aeroplane, the combination with a fuselage, of wings continguous to said fus lage, each wing provided with a primary bracket and an auxiliary bracket, a post on each wing, a propeller journalled on said post and said auxiliary bracket, a motor fas- -'ten'ed to said post and operably connected to said propeller, and means carried by said fuselage and connected to said primary brackets for moving the wings to different positions with respect to the fuselage.

5. In an aeroplane, the combination with a fuselage, of wmgs contiguous to sald fuselage, each wing provided; with a primary bracket and an auxiliary bracket, a post straddling a portion of each primary bracket, a propeller journalled upon each post and -an auxiliary bracket, a motor against the post and operably connected to said propeller,

and means supporting the primary brackets for moving the same independently of the fuselage for adjusting the wings.

6. In an aeroplane, the combination with of said fuselage, propellers mounted on said wings at an angle to their longitudinal axis,

and means carried by said fuselage and consignature.

' MAURICE LOWAN. 

